Sizing John proves doubters wrong with Cheltenham Gold Cup win

Robbie Power wins the Gold Cup on Sizing John - Andrew Boyers/Action Images

Gold Cup result, finishers and fallers

Sizing John gave the Irish further cause for celebration on St Patrick’s Day when he galloped relentlessly up the Cheltenham hill to beat Minella Rocco by two-and-three-quarter lengths in Friday’s Timico Gold Cup and inscribe his name on jump racing’s most celebrated honours board.

Trained by Kildare-based Jessica Harrington and ridden by Robbie Power, who had spent much of the season nursing a fractured cheek and eye-socket and the lingering consequence of that, double vision, the 7-1 shot landed in front at the second-last fence, winged the last and set determinedly about proving those critics who seriously questioned his stamina before the race wrong.

Added to two wins in the Champion Chase with Moscow Flyer and the Champion Hurdle with Jezki, it completed the set of Cheltenham’s Holy Trinity of races for Harrington.

For Power, as much a horseman as jockey who spends much of his summers competing in top level showjumping events, victory in jump racing’s blue riband came 10 years after he won the Grand National on Silver Birch.

Sizing John hits the front and takes the lastCredit: REUTERS

Asked which was best he replied: “This. I was 25 when I won the National and thought I would win everything. I’m 35 now and realise I’m not going to win everything.”

The horse’s owner Alan Potts, who made his fortune designing ‘sizing’ machinery for the mining industry and began devoting a large proportion of it to buying National Hunt horses a dozen years ago, described the victory as ‘unreal.’

“It’s been the dream since we got into this 12 years ago,” he explained. “I invest heavily so we can hopefully pick the best. It’s the first horse we’ve ever run in the Gold Cup and only a couple of weeks after we won the Irish Gold Cup. Pretty good!”

Harrington pointed out that the presence of Douvan in the two-mile chasing ranks and the jockey’s belief that Sizing John would stay further encouraged her to step the horse up in trip. Although she favoured the Ryanair Chase this year as a stepping stone to next year’s Gold Cup, it was on the owner’s insistence, she said, that they go for Gold.

The race could not have gone smoother for the jockey. Having planned to take a wide route, he switched to the inside once he was over the second fence, where Lizzie Kelly’s involvement came to a premature end when Tea For Two made a seismic mistake and the two parted company.

Robbie Power is congratulated by Richard Johnson after winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup Credit: Stefan Wermuth/Reuters

“I saw there was more room on the inside,” said Power, “but if something had brought me down she [Jessica] would have kicked my a•••.”

Sizing John was always travelling well. Free-wheeling down the hill to the third-last while Native River and Djakadam were vying for the lead, piling on the pressure, Power sat just behind them.

Unlike last year, when he was going like a winner, Cue Card was under pressure and appeared to be back-pedalling when, for the second year running, he crashed out at the third-last. Trainer Colin Tizzard reported that he was none the worse for the spill.

Rounding the home turn, Power switched his mount to the outside of the Willie Mullins-trained Djakadam, who was getting the better of the argument with Native River.

All three were in the air together at the penultimate obstacle but there, critically, Djakadam, the 3-1 favourite looking to break his trainer’s hoodoo on the race – he has finished second times – atomised at least two bundles of birch. Ruby Walsh felt the mistake cost him second place, for what would have been a third time.

Sizing John, however, landed in front and soon quickened into a two length lead. Already in unknown territory as far as distance was concerned, he met the last fence well and galloped all the way to the line.

From way off the pace Jonjo O’Neill’s Minella Rocco, an 18-1 shot who had been flat to the boards all the way owing to the strong pace, stayed on stoutly to overhaul Native River and Djakadam close home, but he never looked likely to catch the winner.

Power, who also ruptured a disc in his back two weeks before winning the Irish Gold Cup on Sizing John in February, said: “It’s unbelievable. Jessica Harrington’s a genius.

“I always said that when Sizing John stepped up in trip it would be the making of him. From the first day I rode him behind Douvan, I felt all he did was stay.

“I’ve been to plenty Cheltenham preview nights and people were saying it was a bad Gold Cup – I was kind of insulted because every good Gold Cup winner has Grade One form [he was placed in both the Supreme and Arkle] over two miles. He has that bit of speed.”

Harrington, who was only sent the horse by Potts in the autumn – along with Wednesday’s Coral Cup winner Supasundae – paid tribute to the horse’s former trainer, Henry de Bromhead, whose pain at seeing the victory will, up to a point, have been softened by Special Tiara’s brave win in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

I do feel very sorry for Henry,” she said. “He bought them and did all the work with them as youngsters. I only inherited them in September.”

With the past two winners of the Gold Cup, Coneygree and Don Cossack, sitting this one out through injury, Harrington was cautious about Sizing John defending his title in a year’s time.

“He is only seven and horses peak at seven or eight,” she said. “The last two winners haven’t come back. We’d like to come back, but there will be younger horses around and we’ve got to keep sound.”

Harrington and Power went on to win the last race with Rock The World to make it three wins from six runners this week. When asked how she would celebrate she said Harrington,, who has been a house guest of fellow trainer Nicky Henderson all week, said she was booked on a plane bound for home. But if Power is seeing double in the morning it will be nothing to do a fractured eye-socket.

Gordon Elliott wins Leading Trainer

Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase

One race to go of the 2017 Festival: , the 5.30. Here's Marlborough:

LE PREZIEN ticks quite a few boxes and could outclass these rivals in what is traditionally a difficult contest. Theinval has been shrewdly campaigned and clearly the trainer would love to win the race named after his late father again. Rock The World, third a year ago, looks to have been aimed at this once more. Sizing Platinum and Calipto also have appeal.

Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Sweet As A Nut

Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle preview

Here's Marlborough's verdict:

RUNFORDAVE has a touch of class and fits the profile of recent winners in that he is unexposed and comes here on a high. Coo Star Sivola knows how to battle and should be suited by the demands of this event; he acts on the course. Verni, Battleford and Rather Be all look fairly treated.

Foxhunter prices

Foxhunter Chase up next at 4.10

After the Lord Mayor's show? Not a bit of it, we have three more races on the card beginning with the mellifluously titledSt James's Place Foxhunter Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase at 4.10 which is a race for amateur jockeys on horses aged five or over. No Nina Carberry in the saddle this year but nonetheless On The Fringe is well-backed to win a treble, as Marlborough explains:

ON THE FRINGE attempts a unique hat-trick in this event and must have a realistic chance of completing the task. Certainly, there seems to have been plenty of confidence behind him this week. The home team are headed by Ask The Weatherman, a smart point-to-pointer, who won a Wincanton hunte rchase easily last time. Grand Vision, Black Thunder and Paint The Clouds will ensure their presence is felt.

Nina Carberry and On The Fringe win in 2016Credit: racingfotos.com/REX/Shutterstock

Hat tip to Whistler

Sizing John wins the Gold Cup

Sizing John gave Irish trainer Jessica Harrington her first victory in the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup with her first runner when coming home a clear-cut winner of jumping's blue riband prize.

Given a patient ride by Robbie Power, the seven-year-old completed the English-Irish Gold Cup double in style to dispel any stamina doubts. Djakadam travelled well for most of the race and looked as though he might end Willie Mullins' hoodoo in the showpiece event, but Sizing John (7-1) pounced to lead between the final two fences.

Sizing John hits the front and takes the lastCredit: REUTERS

So often in the shadow of Douvan over two miles, Sizing John kept on strongly up the hill to score by two and three-quarter lengths from the staying-on Minella Rocco (18-1). Native River (7-2) was a short-head away in third and Djakadam - twice the runner-up - was fourth.

Robbie Power is congratulated by Richard Johnson after winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup Credit: Stefan Wermuth/Reuters

"I can't believe it, it was amazing how he jumped and travelled," said Harrington. "Robert said he wasn't going to go down the inside, but he did. It's absolutely fantastic, my first runner in a Gold Cup.

"He was running over two miles, but it was Robert who said he would stay and he did. Thanks to everyone at home, it's all down to the team.

"I can't believe it, I've got to get a Classic now [on the Flat]!"

Cue Card fell at the third-last for the second successive year, while Lizzie Kelly only got as far as the second fence where she and Tea For Two parted company.

Timico Gold Cup Chase preview

And time for the main event. Marlborough explains why he fancies Native River above the field:

It looks perfectly set for a new staying chasing star to appear on the scene and NATIVE RIVER fits that bill. His improvement has been commensurate with the tasks set him and he has answered every question. He may well have more in him yet as he has looked far from tired at the end of any of his races this term. There can be no doubt that stablemate Cue Card deserves to win a Gold Cup – whether last year, when he fell three out, was his year remains to be seen. Djakadam appears vulnerable to improvers such as Outlander, who is preferred.

Native River leads the chasing pack and goes on to win the Welsh Grand National at ChepstowCredit: Huw Evans/REX/Shutterstock

State of play

Betfair offer

The Gold Cup is the race everyone's been waiting for and it seems a real toss-up between the top three. Djakadam has now come in to 3/1 favourite but many punters will be desperate to see the popular Cue Card come in at 5/1. You might prefer Native River - but, whichever your choice, you can get 20/1 with Betfair.

Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle result

Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle

Another winner for Mullins and Townend as Penhill lengthens his stride to win from Monalee and Wholestone. Death Duty came down at the final flight. What a victory for the bookies that was. Brilliant performance from Paul Townend and Penhill.

Prices for the Novices' Hurdle

Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle

Is off at 2.50. This is the Novices' Hurdle won by Stayers' Hurdle favourite and disappointment Unowhatimeanharry last year. Bob's Worth won it back in 2011 and progressed seamlessly to win the Hennessy in 2012 and the Gold Cup itself in 2013. Marlborough writes:

CONSTANTINE BAY may be the answer to a tight race. He fought hard to win at Doncaster in what was a real stamina test and will have learned plenty. Wholestone loves a scrap and is proven on the course. Death Duty has already won a Grade One and arrives with a big reputation. If he stays he will be a tough rival.

An offer from William Hill

No doubt most punters will be on Death Duty in the next but the smart money could be on Wholestone (15/2). The six-year old absolutely loves Cheltenham, with three wins and a second from his four runs on the track. Plus, if you put £10 on it now with William Hill, you'll get £30 in free bets.

Wakea held a clear lead up to the final flight where he was swallowed up by the pack, as Arctic Fire came through late to win by a neck from L'Ami Serge. Ozzie The Oscar was another neck away in third and Air Horse One fourth.

Townend said: "It's some training performance to get him back after such a long absence.

"He had top weight but he had it for a reason and I went out with the mindset to ride him like the best horse and thankfully it paid off.

All the offers in one place

Foxhunter Chase preview

After the Lord Mayor's show? Not a bit of it, we have three more races on the card beginning with the mellifluously titledSt James's Place Foxhunter Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase at 4.10 which is a race for amateur jockeys on horses aged five or over. No Nina Carberry in the saddle this year but nonetheless On The Fringe is well-backed to win a treble, as Marlborough explains:

ON THE FRINGE attempts a unique hat-trick in this event and must have a realistic chance of completing the task. Certainly, there seems to have been plenty of confidence behind him this week. The home team are headed by Ask The Weatherman, a smart point-to-pointer, who won a Wincanton hunte rchase easily last time. Grand Vision, Black Thunder and Paint The Clouds will ensure their presence is felt.

Nina Carberry and On The Fringe win in 2016Credit: racingfotos.com/REX/Shutterstock

​Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase preview

And time for the main event. Marlborough explains why he fancies Native River above the field:

It looks perfectly set for a new staying chasing star to appear on the scene and NATIVE RIVER fits that bill. His improvement has been commensurate with the tasks set him and he has answered every question. He may well have more in him yet as he has looked far from tired at the end of any of his races this term. There can be no doubt that stablemate Cue Card deserves to win a Gold Cup – whether last year, when he fell three out, was his year remains to be seen. Djakadam appears vulnerable to improvers such as Outlander, who is preferred.

Native River leads the chasing pack and goes on to win the Welsh Grand National at ChepstowCredit: Huw Evans/REX/Shutterstock

Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle

This is the Novices' Hurdle won by Stayers' Hurdle favourite and disappointment Unowhatimeanharry last year and goes off at 2.50 Bob's Worth won it back in 2011 and progressed seamlessly to win the Hennessy in 2012 and the Gold Cup itself in 2013. Marlborough writes:

CONSTANTINE BAY may be the answer to a tight race. He fought hard to win at Doncaster in what was a real stamina test and will have learned plenty. Wholestone loves a scrap and is proven on the course. Death Duty has already won a Grade One and arrives with a big reputation. If he stays he will be a tough rival.

A knight at bay

Randox Health County Handicap Hurdle preview

Marlborough writes

Tuesday’s Supreme Novice’s Hurdle victory of Labaik makes the form MICK JAZZ showed when chasing him home in November look much better and he has not gone backwards since. His mark of 143 is very fair. Wait For Me is far better than he showed in the Betfair Hurdle last time and has claims. Ivanovich Gorbatov may not have many secrets but this is a much easier grade. Winter Escape had smart form last year and looks to have been saved.

Wait For Me clears the last to win The Bellshill Wins All Novices' Hurdle at Kempton last yearCredit: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images

JCB Triumph Hurdle preview

This goes off at 1.30. Barry Geraghty has ridden the past two winners but Davy Russell is on Marlborough's selection, as he explains:

J P McManus has a strong hand with the unbeaten Defi Du Seuil, Charli Parcs and Landofhopeandglory but preference is for MEGA FORTUNE, who showed great battling qualities when successful at Leopardstown last time, a quality that will stand him in good stead here. Also, the time was fast. Defi Du Seuil has done nothing wrong in five bloodless victories but there have to be doubts over what he beat and how he will cope with this bigger field. Present odds are too short not to know the answers. Nicky Henderson is adamant we have not seen the best of Charli Parcs and his judgment is renowned.

Live from Cheltenham

We have The Telegarph's own Andy DufresneAlan Tyers, who reports:

A little sea of green tranquility at the Parade Ring. Later, lads and lasses will be trying to keep the horses calm before the races; eagle-eyed punters trying to get clues from the appearance and mood of their fancies.

Whistler, The Sunday Telegraph's man in the cheese-cutter cap, has picked Sizing John, trained by Jessica Harrington and ridden by Robbie Power, the victorious combo with Supasundae in Tuesday's Coral Cup.

Tom Dreaper, the trainer behind Arkle's imperishable hat-trick, has five victories in the race, a mark that could be equalled on Friday by Paul Nicholls with the long-shot Saphir Du Rheu who won the Cleeve Hurdle at the Festival in 2015 and on heavy ground at Kelso last month.

Nicholls has previously won with See More Business in 1999, and recorded a hat-trick with the two greats Kauto Star and Denman from 2007-09.